amusedTRADITIONAL ETIQUETTE OF EATING #5
PEAS--are eaten with a fork.
SALT--is taken up with the tip of the knife.
SALTED NUTS--are eaten with the fingers.
SECOND HELPINGS--At formal dinner parties, luncheons, and breakfasts, second helpings are never offered by the host or hostess, and should not be asked for by the guests. This is only permissible at a small dinner party or at the daily family meal. This does not apply to a second glass of water.
SEEDS--should be removed from teh mouth with the aid of a fork, or dropped into the half-closed hand.
SPOON--The spoon should never be in the cup while drinking. It is used in eating grapefruit, fruit salads, small and large fruit (when served with cream), puddings, jellies, porridges, preserves, and boiled eggs.
TOOTHPICKS--should not be used in public. If necessity requires it, raise the napkin over the mouth, with the hand behind it, and use the toothpick as quickly as possible.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82)
